Both Grant and Yates made the move across the Trent in the summer, and have made a strong impression on Kevin Nolan’s Magpies, especially Grant, who played a key role in Notts moving away from the League Two relegation zone last season.

Roche feels there’s nothing quite like playing competitive football on a Saturday afternoon, something that wouldn’t be gained by staying with under-23s football and on the fringes of the first team.

Read More

“It’s absolutely massive,” said Roche. “Obviously the boys would stay and probably play under-23 football. As good as that is, there’s no substitute for real football on a Saturday when the be-all-and-end-all is three points.

“It’ll bring them on massively.”

Roche was released by Forest at the end of the 2004/05 season, which saw them relegated to League One under the stewardship of Gary Megson, after Roche found his opportunities limited.

Mark Warburton has sent two of his players to Notts County (Image: Joseph Raynor)

“I remember when I was at Forest, when I left, Mark Arthur, the chief executive at the time turned round to me and said that the regret the club had was not sending me out on loan, because it would have done me the world of good.”

Staying local and not having to move is a big factor in the success the Reds pair are having at Meadow Lane, something that shouldn’t be underestimated says the Shrimpers stopper.

Read More

“The two players (Grant and Yates) are coming across to Notts, they’re going to be staying in the same house, and they’re not having to leave the length and breadth of the country to find league football

“Coming to a big club like Notts County where there is quite a big expectation on them, especially coming across from Forest, it adds that little bit more pressure, but it should bring them on leaps and bounds.